The tour was due to start in March, just as large parts of the world including Australia were forced into lockdown due to the virus.

This year's Australian events at Gold Coast, Margaret River and Bells Beach had already been casualties of the pandemic but WSL chief executive Erik Logan said it had become apparent the whole season had to be scrapped.

"While we firmly believe that surfing is amongst the sports best suited for competition to be held safely during the age of unresolved COVID, we have huge respect for the ongoing concerns of many in our community as the world works to resolve this," Logan said.

The 2020 cancellation has come with big changes to the championship going forward.

The 2021 tour is actually set to start in November this year for the women and in December for the men, with both events to be held in Hawaii subject to local government approval and effective protocols allowing for safe international travel.

Next year's championship will also feature an equal number of 10 events for men and women with the women to compete at the legendary Teahupo'o break in Tahiti for the first time since 2006.

There will also be the introduction of a mid-season cut for both the men's and women's tours with the fields to be reduced to 18 and 12 competitors each.

And the respective titles will be decided at single-day event dubbed the WSL Finals where the top five men and women following the 10 stops of the tour will surf-off at a location to be decided.

"I'm really excited about these new format changes," two-time world champion Tyler Wright said.

"As someone that has spent a lot of time out with injury and on the couch in the last few years as a professional spectator, I feel that change is good and needed.

"Having Tahiti come back on the schedule will be interesting and challenging."

2021 WORLD SURF LEAGUE TOUR DATES

(All events and dates subject to change due to applicable COVID-19 related restrictions, including global travel restrictions, events are men and women's tours unless noted)

Nov 25-Dec 6, 2020 - Maui Pro, Honolua Bay, Hawaii (Women)

Dec 8-20, 2020 - Pipe Masters, Oahu, Hawaii (Men)

Feb 18-28 - Pro Peniche, Portugal

Mar 18-28 - Snapper Rocks, Queensland

April 1-11 - Bells Beach, Victoria

April 16-26 - Margaret River, WA

May 20-29 - Rio Pro, Brazil

June 10-13 - Surf Ranch, USA

June 20-20 - G-Land, Indonesia

July 7-19 - Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Aug 26-Sept 6 - Teahupo'o, Tahiti

September 8-16 - The WSL Finals, Location TBD

Australian Associated Press